Evaluating age at sexual maturity in Sciaena umbra L., 1758 (Sciaenidae, Pisces) on the basis of otolith microstructure

A spawning aggregation of Sciaena umbra was sampled during an experimental trawl survey in low-exploited fishing grounds off Maltese coasts (Strait of Sicily). The age structure was estimated by otolith thin section reading, resulting in a maximum age in the samples of 17 and 26 years in males and females, respectively. According to the interpretation of otolith microstructure, the spawning of brown meagre occurred at three years of age, reaching the age of massive reproduction (100% of mature specimens) the following year.